The All Progressives Congress (APC) is intensifying reconciliation efforts to contain growing internal disagreements triggered by its recent primaries and the subsequent publication of candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC on Saturday published the particulars of governorship candidates and their running mates submitted by political parties in Form EC9 at its state headquarters nationwide, bringing clarity to the candidates expected to contest the governorship elections.
However, the publication has also brought renewed attention to disputes arising from the APC’s primary elections conducted in May.
Several aspirants who lost the primaries have challenged the processes through which candidates emerged, with some resorting to litigation, while others have resigned from the party and joined opposition platforms.
The disputes have been reported across several states, including Yobe, Nasarawa, Benue, Adamawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kwara, Imo and Ebonyi, although the intensity varies from one state to another.
The APC leadership has responded by establishing reconciliation committees and urging aggrieved members to remain within the party and support its candidates.
The party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said the National Working Committee had held several meetings to address complaints arising from the primaries.
According to him, reconciliation committees have been established at different levels to engage dissatisfied members and prevent internal disagreements from undermining the party’s chances in 2027.
“The party is taking reconciliation seriously because we have to go to the battlefield united. We already have reconciliation committees at various levels working to assuage the concerns of aggrieved members,” Ibrahim said.
He added that the party was extending an “olive branch” to those who failed to secure tickets, stressing that losing an internal contest did not mean an end to their political ambitions.
Gombe Moves to Reconcile Aggrieved Members
In Gombe State, Governor and APC leader, Muhammadu Yahaya, inaugurated a 25-member reconciliation committee to resolve grievances arising from recent congresses, primaries and local government elections.
The committee, chaired by Deputy Governor Manassah Jatau, was mandated to engage aggrieved aspirants and members, document their complaints and recommend ways of reintegrating them into the party.
Yahaya urged dissatisfied members to embrace dialogue and place the party’s interests above individual ambitions as the 2027 elections approach.
“We need to sheath our swords and embrace dialogue so that we can put our house in order as the 2027 general elections draw closer. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Yobe Primary Faces Court Challenge
In Yobe State, APC governorship aspirant Mustapha Maihaja is challenging the outcome of the party’s May 21 primary, which produced Alhaji Baba Wali as the governorship candidate.
Maihaja filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Damaturu, alleging that the primary was not conducted in accordance with the party’s guidelines and procedures.
Wali was declared winner with 236,711 votes.
At the resumed hearing, Maihaja’s counsel, Mustapha Ibrahim, SAN, told the court that witnesses had testified to alleged irregularities during the exercise.
The respondents’ counsel, Baba Dala, SAN, argued that the case was still at an early stage, noting that only nine of the 62 witnesses listed by the petitioner had testified.
The matter was adjourned to September 7, 8 and 9 for continuation.
While Maihaja has not defected from the APC, the opposition African Democratic Congress has expressed confidence that it can defeat the ruling party in the state.
Defections Shake Nasarawa APC
The APC in Nasarawa has also been hit by internal disagreements following the defection of former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to the Social Democratic Party.
Adamu, who contested the governorship primary, cited alleged breaches of internal democracy, fairness and transparency in the process.
Another aspirant, Prof. Mohammed Haruna, also rejected the outcome, alleging that the exercise was manipulated in favour of Ahmed Aliyu Wadada.
Haruna alleged irregularities involving electoral officials, voting materials and polling locations, as well as intimidation and disruption during the exercise.
The APC leadership in the state, however, dismissed concerns over Adamu’s defection and insisted that the party remained strong enough to win the 2027 election.
Benue Crisis Deepens
In Benue State, disagreements over the substitution of candidates have resulted in litigation and further divisions within the APC.
A House of Assembly aspirant, Sesugh Kaaba, approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to prevent INEC and the APC from recognising candidates who allegedly did not emerge from the party’s primaries.
The case followed disputes between supporters of Governor Hyacinth Alia and those aligned with Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Several candidates loyal to Alia were reportedly replaced by candidates backed by Akume following petitions over the conduct of the primaries.
The dispute has also contributed to defections, including the departure of former Benue House of Assembly Majority Leader, Terseer Sater, to the Accord Party.
Adamawa APC Faces Imposition Allegations
The APC in Adamawa is similarly dealing with allegations of candidate imposition.
Several candidates were reportedly adopted for National Assembly seats without conventional primaries, prompting complaints from some party members.
APC chieftain Abubakar Gambo alleged that members were presented with candidates whose emergence they could not explain.
The controversy has been followed by defections, with some former APC candidates reportedly moving to the Labour Party and other opposition platforms.
The party’s state publicity secretary, Dogo Victor, said efforts were underway to reconcile aggrieved members and expressed optimism that some would return.
Kebbi and Sokoto Record Political Movements
In Kebbi, Senator Garba Maidoki defected from the APC to the ADC after reportedly being screened out of the party’s senatorial primary.
His departure followed the withdrawal of Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah from the Kebbi South senatorial primary amid allegations that the outcome had been predetermined.
Sokoto has also witnessed defections despite the emergence of Governor Ahmed Aliyu as the APC governorship candidate through a consensus arrangement.
House of Representatives member Isah Ambarura defected from the APC to the ADC, while reports of other members joining the opposition have raised concerns over the party’s grassroots strength.
Kwara APC Insists It Remains in Control
In Kwara State, the APC has acknowledged internal disagreements but maintained that it remains in a strong position to retain power in 2027.
The crisis followed the governorship primary that produced Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, as the party’s candidate.
A group of aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders known as the G15 rejected the outcome, alleging irregularities and manipulation.
The situation worsened after Senator Saliu Mustapha left the APC for the Peoples Democratic Party, where he secured the Kwara Central senatorial ticket.
Despite the setbacks, APC Deputy Chairman Abdullahi Samari said the party remained confident of victory.
“Things will be better than this before election. It is a tough time for our party. But we will win the election because we are still in charge,” he said.
Imo, Ebonyi Also Grapple With Litigation
In Imo State, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and former Governor Rochas Okorocha have challenged the party’s senatorial tickets in court.
Araraume is challenging the Imo North ticket awarded to incumbent Senator Patrick Ndubueze, while Okorocha is contesting the Imo West ticket involving Governor Hope Uzodimma.
The APC has dismissed the lawsuits as lacking merit and maintained that the party remains united.
In Ebonyi, a dispute over the Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency ticket has also reached the courts.
Incumbent lawmaker Idu Igariwey is challenging the candidacy of Joseph Ekumankama, whose name appeared on the party’s final list submitted to INEC.
The disagreement has also exposed tensions between Governor Francis Nwifuru and Works Minister and former governor David Umahi, with rival camps reportedly producing conflicting primary results.
Relative Calm in Bayelsa, Edo
Not all APC chapters have experienced serious post-primary crises.
In Bayelsa, the party says it has recorded relative calm following its National and State House of Assembly primaries, with no major defection or court challenge reported.
The party attributed the stability partly to its zoning arrangements and consultations among stakeholders.
In Edo, the APC has also played down concerns over internal divisions following its Edo South senatorial primary.
Former House of Representatives member Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama emerged as the candidate after defeating incumbent Senator Neda Imasuen and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
The party said the defeated aspirants had accepted the outcome and remained committed to its electoral efforts.
Unity Key to APC’s 2027 Ambitions
With litigation, defections and allegations of irregularities spreading across several states, the APC faces the challenge of resolving its internal disputes before the 2027 campaign intensifies.
While the party maintains that its reconciliation efforts are yielding results, political analysts warn that prolonged internal conflicts could provide opposition parties with opportunities to exploit divisions within the ruling party.
For the APC, the ability to reconcile aggrieved members, retain influential politicians and maintain unity across its state structures could prove crucial to its ambition of securing victory in the 2027 elections.
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